WHAT IS A DNP (DOCTORATE OF NURSING PRACTICE)
The terminal degree a Registered Nurse can attain is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The DNP is not the same as other terminal degrees in nursing, including Ph.D., DNSc, and ND. A DNP has a practice-based focus, whereas other terminal degrees are focused on research skills and scholarly research. Students need to have a master’s degree to apply at most schools since doctoral programs are more intense and build upon what is learned in the Master of Science in Nursing degree curriculum. Most Doctors of Nursing Practice typically focus on issues such as systems management, quality improvement, and making decisions based on nursing research. The DNP degree typically takes 3-6 years to complete, if you have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and depending on whether part-time or full-time status is maintained. If you have a Master of Science in Nursing you can complete a DNP degree in 18-24 months. The curriculum structure is mainly focused on statistics and data analysis. The philosophy behind nursing as well as advanced leadership is also a key part of most DNP programs.
IS THERE A BENEFIT TO HAVING A DNP
As healthcare advances at an exponential rate, DNP-prepared nurses take a more active role in finding solutions and improving public health. More and more nurses are taking on a greater level of responsibility than ever before. There are better pay rates to be expected when considering the increased responsibilities, particularly as existing DNP practitioners leave the workforce. DNP nursing leaders have a lot to keep up with. Along with staying abreast of current medical education, they must also stay updated on healthcare best practices. With the supply of nurses and physicians on the decline, this requires DNP nurse leaders to utilize their intellectual skills more than ever before. A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to be an expert at promoting health and wellness.
SO WHY DID I DO IT
I have several entrepreneurial pursuits I will be attempting to start after graduation. I am considered an expert having completed the terminal degree in the field of Nursing, so the credentials will identify me as such. I’ve done my part to try to improve lives and save lives as a critical care ICU Registered Nurse but now I feel I can do so much more to help people before they get to those critical stages in which I cared for them in over the last 20+ years. I’ll be applying my expertise to establish a health and wellness practice, develop an app that helps in the management of health, wellness, and alternative treatment solutions for illness, and provide a variety of well thought out and designed extracurricular items that support and enhance people as a whole person, which includes helping people to embrace being happy. Euphoria and all other emotions associated with positive well-being should be actively pursued and I’ll be helping people pursue it with the expertise that I have attained with the highest level of education in my chosen field.
I took a 3-year hiatus from blogging so I could focus on school. 4 weeks left. I’M BACK.
God willing………………….Doctor Stewart will be my name.
